Material collecting and loading apparatus



Dec. l2, 1939. T. K.v ANDERsEN Er AL 2,182,781

MATERIAL COLLECTING AD LOADING APPARATUS Filed-June 17, 1957 4 sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY i2, i939. T. K. ANDERsEN ET AL a 2,182,781

MATERIAL COLLECTING AND LOADING APPARATUS A Filed Junelv, 1957 4 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY Y MATERIAL COLLECTING AND LOADING APPARATUS Filed June 17, 1937 4 SheetsTSheeft 3 muc-TNI ATTORNEY ec. l2, 1939. r. K. ANDERsEN z-:r AL 2,182,781

MATERIAL COLLECTING AND LOADING APPARATUS Filed June 17, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet' 4 /yfksf/v ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 12, 1939 MATERIAL COLLECTING AND LOADING APPARATUS Thomas K. Andersen, West Brighton, and Tengel Andersen, Port Richmond, N. Y., assignors to Overhead Loader Corporation, New York, N. Y., l a corporation of New York Application Junekii, 1937. serial No. `14s,74o

1o Claims.

This invention relates to an attachment for heavy duty vehicles such as tractors or the like and relates more particularly to a combined material collecting and loading apparatus and de` 5 tachable ground scraper or bull-dezer.

Tractors have heretofore been used in connection with road work excavation and similar oper-- ations and attachments of varying constructions have been used. Most of the previous devices were arranged to either dig or collect material or to receive and load material.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and eihcient apparatus for collecting and loading material. 4 l5 Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism which may beemployed to dig into hard ground and collect the loosened material.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for .conveniently and expeditiously digging, collecting and discharging material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a digging and loading apparatus convertible into a ground scraper controlled by means for actuating said digging and.loading apparatus.

The present invention, although shown and described for digging, collecting and loading earth, may readily be employed tocollect any loose material and load, as in industries where raw material must be transported from one place to another.

When used as a ground leveler or digger the present invention has more than ordinary utility since, whereas, other apparatus has heretofore been employed to perform the operation of dig-- 35. ging, it was not possible to efliciently load the loosened ground.

In a machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention, a scoop or bucket is carried on lever arms or beams having fulcrums at the front or in close` proriimity to the front of a tractor. The scoop when in operative position is held with its digging edge in position in the rear of the tractor to cut'into the'ground or pile of material as the tractor is moved, forcing the 'scoop into the earth or pile so that it collects loosened material. g Y

As the tractor moves, a, truck may follow it and when the scoop has received a load` it is moved in an arc over the tractor and forward until over the truck at which time the scoop may be discharged into the truck.

The pivot point, of the beam which may be termed the carrier for the scoop, is so positioned that relatively greatforce may be applied for 55 digging and the arrangement is such that when the scoop is moved to position for discharge, it extends from the tractor to permita wide range for the disposition in a receptacle such as a truck beneath the loaded scoop.

The invention will be mre clearly understood 5 by reference to the following description together with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a tractor of the caterpillar type having the present col-v lecting and loading mechanism mounted thereon; 10

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tractor and mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front end view ofthe tractor showing thev collecting and loading bucket in dotted lines in an elevated position; y

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the'hoisting drum and gear `mechanism for lifting the lever arms; f

Fig. 5= is aview taken on line V-V in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view taken' on line VI-VI in Fig. 4; 20

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line VII-VII in Fig. 4;

Fig..8is a side elevational view of the digging and loading apparatus having a scraper attached.

and

structed for attachment to the digging and loading apparatus.

The present invention may be applied to any suitable design of. tractor or power vehicle and as shown in the drawings a tractor I0 of the 30 caterpillar type' has been selected.

The caterpillar tractor may include the usual frame Il having an engine I2vat the forward end and the usual operators seat I3 at the rearend. The link treads I4 may be driven in the usual 35 manner and controlled by means commonly provided for tractors of this type.

The mechanism embodying the present invention may comprise a sub-frame I5 of any suitable construction and as shown may include a crossmember I6 and lateral or side members I1. Each of these side members may be provided lwith a bearing plate 20 strengthened by an upright 2l, and a supporting cross member l1 (see Fig. 2) attached to the tractor frame Il at its forward 45 end. The purpose of the cross memberll is to support the tractor sub-frame l5 rigidly 'in line with -the tractor frame Il whichcarries the tractor motor i2, permitting the sub-frame to follow the movement of the tractor frame around the common center of oscillation 25, and without hampering the free and independent oscillation of the tractor tracks, or the movement of the tractor frame upon its springs. Upright members 22, 22` and 23 extend upwardly from each 55 F1g,'9 is a. perspective view of a scrapercon- 25` v of the side members oi.' the sub-frame I5 and are secured at their upper ends to a cover or rooi!` 24 which is suitably reenforced.,

The sub-frame I5 is 'attached to the track frames adjacent points which are located on each side of thel tractor at .the common center around which both tracks and the tractor frame may oscillate in a vertical planeindependently of each other. A support 25 extending from the body of the tractor also supports the subframe I5. Each bearing pla-te 20 is provided with a pin I8 and has pivotally attached theretoJa lever-arm or beam I9. (See Fig. 1.) The pivot pin I8 is disposed intermediate the ends. of the tractor and in relatively close relation to the rear end. The beams I9,` I9 are of' sufficient length to extend beyond either end of the tractor and a digging andcollecting implement 21 is pivotally mounted between the free ends .28, 28 of converging beam extensions I9', I9 which latter are offset toward each other tol accommodate the implement 21.

The beams I9 are each provided with a iin 30 having a bearing hub 30' and each side member I1 is provided with an extended bearing 39" to support and effect the operation of a bucket scraper or bull-dezer as will later be described.

The bucket or digging implement 21 which may be termed a scoop is provided with a cutting edge 29 preferably of hardened steel. The scoop is so constructed as to have an open or material receiving mouth 32 and a hinged cover or door 33 held by a suitable latch 34. The latch may be mounted on a cross-support 35 and normally Vheld by a spring 3S to engage the cover. A cable 36' terminating in a grip 31 may be located within reach of the operatorwhen in the seat I3. A pull upon the cable will serve to release the cover to discharge material, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, as for example.,into a truck also indicated in dotted lines.

When the scoop is in position as shown in Fig. 1 the weight of the scoop and the angular relation of the cutting edge thereofresults in a digging action when the tractor is moved to cause the digging edge of the scoop to enter the ground or into material to be collected.

It will be noted that in the present preferred embodiment of the invention the digging or collecting is accomplished by a rearward movement of the tractor, the operator turning in his seat to guide the digging operation.

In accordance with the present invention material is collected at one end of the tractor Vand. deposited at the other end and means are therefore provided for swinging the scoop 'through a vertical plane overhead. This is accomplished by means of a yoke 4I) pivoted at 4I to opposite sides of the scoop 21. The yoke has attached thereto, one end of a cable 42` which leads 4over a guide pulley 43 mounted on the roof 24. The cable extends between pulleys 44 and 45 mounted in close peripheral relation in a bearing block 46. The other end of the cable is fast to a winding drum 41. When the tractor has been operated to cause the scoop to collect material the drum is actuated and the cable wound up to exert a-pull on the yoke. This obviously causes the scoop to be lifted and the beams to swing about their pivots I3.

Power for lifting the scoop is obtained from the tractor engine and a clutch lever 49 is provided to engage suitable` driving gears and motion translating means.- to be later described. which in turn cause a rotation of the drum 41.

When the scoop reaches the vertical or dead center position. as shown in dotted lines-in Fig. 1 and is ready to descend on the other endof the tractor, the operator manipulates brake lever 49. Obviously when the scoop is on the point of descending, it is necessary to throw out the clutch and in accordance with the present invention this is accomplished automatically by means to be hereinafter described.

It will be readily understood that while the 1 pull -is being exerted upon the cable and the loaded scoopreaches its limit of elevation the cable which travels over pulley 44 during the lift, shifts to pulley 45. 'I'he operator then controls the drum by means of the brake lever 49 and -1 eases the loaded scoop vto discharge position at which time a pull upon the latch cable 36 releases the cover 33.

'I'he scoop is returned to digging position by throwing in the clutch and releasing the brake. 2

When the scoop reaches the vertical position, the clutch is automatically disengaged and the operator applies the brake by moving the brake lever 49 to lower the scoop to such position as may be desired. 'Ihe tractor is driven in the usual man- 2 ner and the usual clutch lever is shown and indi cated by the reference numeral 5I.

The operating mechanism is well known and is therefore not shown or described, it being evident that the present attachment may be applied 3 to any mobile power plant having the flexibility to be driven about and controlled to direct the operation of the scoop. It will be appreciated that the movement of the'tractor under the guidance of the operator provides a powerful digging 3 apparatus giving a tremendous amount of power and at the same time may be handled with the simplicity and ease that a workman finds in han- Y dling an ordinary shovel to lift material from the ground to a receptacle. 4.

Themechanism for lifting and braking the scoop action is shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. The drum 41 is mounted loosely on a shaft 52 journaled in bearings 53`and 54. One end of the shaft 52 is provided with a spur gear 55 in mesh 4 with a gear wheel 56 on a shaft 51 journaled in a bearing in a box 58. The shaft 5B extends through the box and has secured thereto a worm wheel 59 in mesh with a worm 6I on a shaft 62 secured by a coupling 63 to a main drive shaft 5 1 I (see Fig. 1) connected to' the brake lever 49. a

1 The clutch mechanism for controlling the rotation of the winding .drum (see Figs. 4 and 5), includes a friction collar 12 integral with the winding drum around which is disposed a gripping band 13. The collar is recessed to receive a car- 0 riet or rotary member 14 secured to shaft 52. Adjacent to the carrier 14 and loose on shaft 52 is a take-up pulley or drum 15. A friction strap 15 having one end secured at 11 to bearing bracket 54 is arranged to frictionally engage the'pulley 15 upon a downward pull upon link 19 attached to the other end of the strap 15. 'I'he link 19 is attached to one arm of a bell crank lever 8|, the other en d of the crank being attached to a .I

This brake mechanism is of the usual 5 engaged in a threaded aperture in the take-up pull rod 82 connecting with the clutch lever 48. (See Fig. 1.) Y

As above pointed out the carrier 14 is rotatable with the shaft 52 and in order to impart rotary motion to the winding drum 41 connection must be made between the drum and the carrier 14.' This'is accomplished by bolt 03 at one end of a link 84, the said bolt being threaded and pulley 15. The other end of the link 84 (see Fig. 6) is yplvotally connected at 85 with one' end of a lever arm 86 pivoted at81 on the carrier. The other end of the lever 86 is connected` at 88 with one end -of the gripping band 13. The other end of the band is `attached to one end of a lever 89 pivoted at 9|. on the carrier 14. The other end of-the lever 89 is provided with a set screw 92 vwhich engages a stop 9 3 integral wit hub 94 of the carrier 14. l

When the pull rod 82 is actuated to bring the friction strap 16 in contact with the take-up pulley, the said pulley being free on shaft 52 may rotate slightly with the result that the pin 83 causes a thrust upon link 84 by reason of tne direction of rotation of shaft 52 to which' the carrier. 14 is secured. This thrust imparts a 1 rocking movement to the lever 86 with a consequent pull 'upon the gripping band 13 whereby the winding`drum is connected for rotary movement with the shaft 52.

From the above it will be understood that normally the gripping band 13 andthe friction strap 16 as well as the take-up pulley 15 all rotate with the carrier 14. The clutch lever 49 is provided with a suitable spring 85' which acts to cause the pull rod 82 to vlift the strap 16 so that the actual clutch mechanism isyfree. When the strap 16 is moved to engage thetake-up pulley the initial movement thereof prevents sudden opposition to inertia and provides a smooth and effective means of translating motion from the. shaft 52 to the winding drum 441.

When `the scoop has been manipulated to receive material and the clutch lever actuated the winding `drum takes up on the cable -and 4the beams I9 swing about their' pivots. For the ypurpose of throwing out the clutch after the bucket reaches its'upper position, a bell-crank lever 96 (see Figs. 2 and 3) is provided. This lever` is pivoted at 91 on the frame of the machine and one'arm 98 of the lever is provided with a roller 99 and so positioned that the roller may be moved into the path of travel of a beam I9. The other arm |0| of the lever 96 is engaged by a pin |02 on pull rod 82. When the operator moves the clutch lever 48 to throw in the clutch he holds the clutch lever to keep the clutch in. As the beam I9V reaches its vertical position it engages the roller 99 thereby rocking the 'bellcrank lever 96 and by reason of the pin |02 the pull rod 82 is actuated causing the operator to release the clutch lever 48 and the clutch no longer operates to connect the shaft 52 with the winding drum. At this time the operator having been given the signal that the scoop is in position to descend, moves the brake lever 49 Aand controls the downward movement of the scoop. Obviously the return movement of the scoop is accomplished by an actuation of the clutch lever and a movement thereof causes the bell-crank 96 to move the roller 99 into position to be engaged by the beam I9 on its return movement, throwing out the clutch mechanism and giving the operator` a denite signal to apply the brake and control the descentv of the scoop for another digging or material collecting operation.

The scoop 21, as will be evident, comprises a novel construction in that it receives material by means of an opening at one side and discharges through the top upon an opening of the door 33. This novel form of scoop is lparticularly adapted to the overhead swing which causes the -material to settle against the door and as the scoop reaches the discharge position and the door is unlatched the weight of the material effects an immediate opening of the door and an expeditious discharge.

The vpresentscoop construction greatly simplies'the apparatus since it avoids a swinging or pivoted type scoop with'the attending added parts and maintenance due to wear.

Although the present invention provides an efficient and practical apparatus for lifting and loading'material the mechanism for lifting the scoop is particularly eectivewhen used in combination with a scraper or what is termed a bull-l v dozer or snow plow. l

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 a scraper plough. |03 of any suitable type may be applied to the front end of the tractor. Thefselected form of scraper as shown includes a plate |04 with reenforcing gusset plates |05 and arms |06. Each arm is pivotally connected by a pin to an extended bearing 30". 4The a'rms |08 hold the scraper with the nose |09 thereof positioned to make close contact with the ground. Ordinarily a scraper of this character is in -a sense uncontrollable. That is, no means are provided Vto conveniently lift the scraper or to exert a force to cause a deeper cut.

In accordance. with the presentinvention this disadvantage has been removedsince the beams |9 manipulated by the clutch and brake give entire-control of the scraper, plough, or other implement.

An actuation of the scraper is attained by means of links ||0, each link 'having one end pivoted at I|2 to plate |04 and the other end pivotally connected at ||3 to an extended bearing 30'.

The operation of the scoop has been fully explained above and it will therefore be readily understood that by causing the beams I9 to ascend the nose. of the scraper will be forced into the ground. When the beams are permitted to descend the scraper will be lifted. Thus by manipulating the clutch and brake the scraper is under the full control of the operator. 1

'I'he present invention not -only provides a simple andeifective apparatus for collecting, lifting and discharging material, but the same mechanism serves to operate a ground scraper snow end of said member for `vertical swinging movement through and past a vertical plane through the pivot axis, two guide pulleys arranged in close spaced relation, one on each side of said vertical plane. a cable extending between said pulleys. means for exerting a pull on said cable for hoisting said member through the upswing portion of its travel and means for automatically rendering said last mentioned means inoperative when said member passes through said vertical plane to a1- low paying out of the cable during the downswing portion of the travel of said member.

.2. A material collectingv and discharging apparatus comprising a lever member, a pivot at one end of said member for vertical swinging movement through and past a vertical plane' through the pivot axis, two guide pulleys arranged in close spaced relation, one on each side of said Y plane to allow paying out of the cable during the -ses downswing portion of the travel of said member, and means for arresting the movement of said member during the downswing portion of its travel.

3. In combination with a self propelling tractive vehicle, a pair of supporting arms pivoted adjacent the sides of said vehicle, a receptacle mounted at the outer ends of said arms, said arms being of a shape and length to carry said receptacle in a vertical ar"c from loading position at one end of the vehicle along its fore and aft center line and past the pivot points of said arms to dumping position, power lifting means for revolving said receptacle and arms from positions on either side of the vertical to an approximately vertical position, manual means for causing the application of said lifting power to said receptacle and for discontinuing such application, manual means for optionallyarresting the travel of said receptacle at any point, the side of said receptacle farthest from the pivot points of its arms being open, and an upper side of said receptacle when in digging position being equipped with a hinged and latched cover, manual means for optionally releasing the cover latch at any point in the travel of the receptacle so that when the receptacle has become partially or wholly inverted by the revolution of its arms its load may be dumped, vthe hingeline of said cover being located at the edge of the cover farthest from the pivot points of the arms -so that gravity will tend to maintain the cover when open in position to be closed by its own momentum as the movement of the receptacle is arrested on its descent towards loading position andfwill assist in such closing when the receptacle approaches load-- ing position and so that when vthe load is being dumped said cover will be in position to and will tend to reduce the throwing of the load away from the vehicle resulting fromy stopping th motion of the receptacle.

4.' The combination of claim 3, the cover latch f releasingmeans comprising an actuating device 'under control ofthe operator and operative con- `vtive vehicle, a pair of supporting arms pivoted adjacent the sides of said vehicle, a digging'receptaclemounted at the outer ends 0i said arms designed to dig and load itself at the rear of the vehicle, said arms being of a shape and length to carry the receptacle in a vertical arc from loading position at the rear of the vehicle along its fore and aft centre line past the pivot points of said arms toa forward dumping position, power means for revolving the receptacle and arms from Jeither side of the vertical to an approximately vertical position, manual control means for causing and discontinuing the application of revolvv ing power and for optionally arresting the movement of the receptacle at any point, said control means being located near enough to the rear of the vehicle to permit the operator when using said control means to have unobstructed vision of the receptacle when in low loading position.

6. In combination with a self-propelling tractive vehicle, a pair of supporting arms pivoted adjacent the sides of said vehicle, a receptacle mounted at the outer ends of said arms, said arms being of a shape and length to carry the receptacle in a vertical arc from loading position at the rear end of the vehicle along its fore and aft centerline past the pivot points of said arms to a forwardl dumping position, means for converting the motor power of the vehicle into power to revolve the receptacle and arms to an approximately vertical position, said converting means being mounted ahead of the vehicle to act as a counterbalance against the vehicle tipping up in front when the receptacle is breaking out its load at the rear of the same, means connecting said power converting means with the motor of the .vehicle and means for optionally arresting the .movementof said receptacle at any point.

7. In combination with a self propelling tractive vehicle, a pair of supporting arms pivoted adjacent the sides of said vehicle. a receptacle mounted at the outer ends of said arms for loading at one end of the vehicle, said arms being ofa shape and length to carry said receptacle in a vertical arc from the loading end of thevehicle along its fore and aft centre line past the pivot points of said arms to dumping position, la power-operated cable for revolving said receptacle and arms from either side oi the vertical to an approximately vertical position, a protective roof over the vehicle, cable i of stopping its descent at the other end,y and means adjacent the loading end of said roof forv protecting the cable against chaflngV on same when the receptacle `descends below its level to load.

8. In combination with a tractor, a pair of supporting arms pivoted adjacent the sides of said tractor, a receptacle mounted at the outer ends of said arms, said arms being of a shape and length to carry said, receptacle in/a vertical arc from loading position at' one end of the tractor along its fore and aft center line past the pivot points of said arms to dumping position, means `for converting the motor power 'or `the tractor into power to revolve the receptacle and arms from either side oi' the verticslto an approximate vertical position, power-transmitting means operated'thereby,'a protective roo! above the tractor, and an independent sub-frame providinga support for the root and for said power converting means and so fastened to the tractor that at all times it keeps said4 power-converting means in line with the tractor motor while still permitting free spring movement of the tractor and the independent oscillation of its tracks.

9. In combination with a self-propelling tractive vehicle, a pair of supporting arms pivoted adjacent the sides of said vehicle, a receptacle mounted at the outer ends `of said arms, said arms being of a shape and length to carry said receptacle in a vertical arc from loading position at one end of the vehicle along its fore and aft center line and past the pivotpoints of said arms to dumping position, power lifting means for revolving said receptacle and arms from p ositions on either side of the vertical to an approximately vertical position, manual means for causing the application of said lifting power to said receptacle and for discontinuing such appli. cation, manual means for optionally 'arresting the travel of, said receptacle at any point, Aand means for automatically discontinuing the application of lifting power to said receptacle as it approaches its vertical position from either direction and for releasing it from any control by said lifting power so that it may be free to pass the vertical by momentum anddropby gravity.

l0. In combination with a self-propelling tractive vehicle, a pair of supporting arms pivoted adjacent the sideslof said vehicle, a receptacle mounted at the outerends of said arms disposed to dig and load itself at the rear of the vehicle, said arms being of a shape and length to carry the receptacle in a vertical arc from loading position at one end of the vehicle along its fore and ,aft center line past the pivot points 'of said arms to dumping position, means for converting the motor power of the vehicle into power to revolve the receptacle and arms to an approximately vertical position, means connecting said power converting means With the front end of the motor shaftv of the vehicle so that the vehicle may move itself,V -its gears be shifted, and its direction of travel be reversed Without interrupting said lift, means for returning the receptacle to" loading position, and means for optionally arresting the movement of the receptacle at'any point.I

4THOMAS K.VANDERSEN.

TENGEL ANDERSEN. 

